Job Search Advice needed...
The company I worked for laid off 1/4 of their company for the second time this year, and I lost the lottery in this round. I am applying for new jobs as I have to work, but I have two questions:
1) Is it a red flag if I'm applying for jobs that are three weeks old, or should I focus only on jobs posted within the last week?
2) I've decided to return to school and get a certificate in cybersecurity, and I wondered if I should try to reach out to companies that will allow me to work in that area while I'm in school.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.88k
10/18/23 at 1:23AM UTC
It may depend on how that individual company manages their open requisitions.
Personally, if the requisition is open, I say you should apply. Because it's never a done deal until it's a done deal. Here's a real life example: I've been working on a Director level position since July. We have been actively interviewing candidates since then. Three weeks ago, we were close to making an offer. A candidate applied - he was a great fit and blew everyone out of the water. He just accepted his written offer this morning.
It's best to apply as early as possible. But sometimes, I get through the initial batch of applicants and I'm still looking for candidates. After three weeks, there may be just a trickle and you could stand out.
Approximately 75% of the people who apply to my open requisitions are not a fit. Sometimes it's even higher. I just spent over an hour last week going through applicant after applicant with a hiring manager because he couldn't understand why 100% of the applicants were not a fit. So I showed him. So even if the position has been open, you might still be the best fit. You also might not be competing against as many people as you think.
Also - regarding the number of "applicants" that show on a LinkedIn Jobs posting. That is not the number of actual applicants. That is the number that clicked on the job posting. LinkedIn doesn't of know if someone completes an application once you leave their site.
Regarding number 2 - do you have cybersecurity experience?
tgh0486 LeoSun
273
10/17/23 at 4:20PM UTC
To your first question, when I see a job on LinkedIn, if was posted more than one week ago, then I do not bother applying unless a few people have applied. I also always go to the corporate website to see if that role is real and still active. If LinkedIn shows that hundreds of people have already applied, then I don't bother applying. Few organizations have the resources to plow through that many resumes, and they don't need to. They probably already have qualified candidates in the queue already. To your last question, additional education is always a good thing. Good luck.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.88k
10/18/23 at 1:25AM UTC
FYI - The number of "applicants" on LinkedIn Jobs positing is not the number of actual applicants. That's the number of people who have clicked through the job posting.
The number that actually completes an application is typically a small fraction of that number.
Sabrina CortesSenior Resume Writer/Copywriter
1.34k
10/17/23 at 4:17PM UTC
Yes, I'd apply to jobs directly on the website and you might want to reachout to companies now to establish a relationship as you look for a cybersecurity school. You never know what opportunities are available. :)
Anonymous
10/17/23 at 3:59PM UTC
My career coach suggested putting the certifications I'm working towards on my resume, with the word "PENDING" and approximate completion date. That way they do know you're working towards it.
Anne Krookowner and principal, Practical Workplace Advice
1.2k
10/18/23 at 6:01PM UTC (Edited)
1) not a red flag at all.
It is as hard to find and hire good people as it is to find and get hired to good jobs, and that process gets slowed down for all kinds of reasons, some good and some not so good.
2) I wouldn't look for that specifically; it's a bonus if you find it. Start doing the security certificate ASAP and you can show companies how you are continuously upgrading your skillset.
Anonymous
10/17/23 at 1:38PM UTC
Just make sure to apply for the jobs that are a bit older directly through the company instead of an aggregate site like Indeed (don't know how LinkedIn manages posts - but probably keeps them up for a preset time so iffier). If it's still up on the company site, solid chance it's still open. And for us, if we have plenty of strong candidates, we usually close after two weeks (for classified positions - unclassified often stay up until we have a signed contract). We're seeing a lot of unqualified candidates or minimal applicants for a lot of positions (state university) and they are staying open longer because we're still hoping for a great candidate instead of (we hope) just good enough candidates.
